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El Niño conditions for Australia remain present, but this has been pushed aside in late spring and early summer after the eastern states received above-average rainfalls. This situation has prompted a rise in the sorghum production forecast for MY 2023/24 to 1.8 million metric tons (MMT), and the rice production forecast remains strong at 522,000 metric tons (MT) with the support of ample irrigation water.

On January 5, 2024, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) notified the National Standard for Quality Grading for Gramineous Seeds (Draft for Comments) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) under G/TBT/N/CHN/1786.

Fruit and vegetable prices in Türkiye reached their highest point in 2023 due to both high inflation and the country’s struggle with high yield on citrus fruits.

On December 8, 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) launched two calls for evidence to collect data and information to support EFSA’s risk assessments to deliver scientific opinions on the welfare of beef cattle and turkeys on farm.

This report serves as a practical guide for U.S. exporters wishing to initiate or increase exports of U.S. consumer-oriented and seafood products to Vietnam. It provides an overview of the market potential, practical tips, consumer preferences and trends, food standards and regulations, import and inspection procedures, and useful contacts.

Serbia offers good opportunities for the U.S. exporters of consumer-oriented agriculture products. From January-October 2023, total U.S. exports of agriculture products to Serbia reached $22.6 million, an increase of about 16 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

While Turkiye restricts the importation or transshipment of HPAI-restricted poultry products, the transit of these products via Turkish ports to a third-country final destination is permitted within certain guidelines.

Rice export prices increased 1-2 percent despite the weakening of the Thai baht.

The Netherlands is working towards a ‘sugar tax’. As a first step, the existing levy on non-alcoholic beverages (excluding dairy, soy drinks and water) was increased to €0.26 ($0.29) per liter starting January 1, 2024.

On December 29, 2023, the Ministry of Trade and Integration announced the first stage of 2024 meat and poultry quotas by HS code for historic suppliers (i.e., importers). The first stage approved the distribution of 2,835 tons of beef and 31,500 tons of poultry.

On January 5, 2024, The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Ministry of Economy authorized for the first time the commercialization of four genetically modified (GM) yeasts to enhance bioethanol production through grain fermentation. Industry supports this decision and expects it to help pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future in fuels.

The General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine (DAPQ) has provided USDA China with a new format for submitting overseas facility registration lists for commodities under their authority.